Japanese > Rice

Takuan Rice Balls Recipe

Ingredients with Measurements:
- 2 cups cooked sushi rice
- 1/2 cup takuan (pickled daikon), finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon mirin
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 cup sesame seeds, toasted
- Nori sheets, cut into small strips for wrapping

Special equipment needed:
- Plastic wrap

Step-by-step instructions:

1. In a small bowl, mix together soy sauce, mirin, rice vinegar, salt, and sugar until well combined. Set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked sushi rice, chopped takuan, and the soy sauce mixture. Mix well until the rice is evenly coated.
3. Take a small handful of the rice mixture and shape it into a ball using your hands. Repeat until all the rice mixture is used up.
4. Roll each rice ball in toasted sesame seeds until well coated.
5. Wrap each rice ball with a small strip of nori using plastic wrap to hold it in place.
6. Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.


- Time:
Preparation time: 15 minutes
- Cooking time: 20 minutes (for cooking sushi rice)
Temperature:
- Room temperature
Serving size:
- Makes approximately 12 rice balls

Nutritional information:
- Calories per serving: 120
- Fat: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Protein: 2g

Substitutions for ingredients:
- Takuan can be substituted with other pickled vegetables such as pickled carrots or cucumbers.
- Mirin can be substituted with sake or white wine.

Variations:
- Add diced avocado or crab meat to the rice mixture for added flavor and texture.

Tips and tricks:
- Wet your hands with water before shaping the rice balls to prevent the rice from sticking to your hands.
- Use a rice cooker for perfectly cooked sushi rice every time.

Storage instructions:
- Store leftover rice balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheating instructions:
- To reheat, remove the plastic wrap and microwave the rice balls for 30 seconds.

Presentation ideas:
- Arrange the rice balls on a platter and garnish with additional sesame seeds and nori strips.

Garnishes:
- Additional sesame seeds and nori strips

Pairings:
- Serve with miso soup and a side of edamame for a complete meal.

Suggested side dishes:
- Edamame
- Miso soup
- Seaweed salad

Troubleshooting advice:
- If the rice balls are too dry, add a little more soy sauce or mirin to the rice mixture.

Food safety advice:
- Make sure to use clean hands and utensils when handling food to prevent contamination.

Food history:
- Takuan is a traditional Japanese pickle made from daikon radish that has been fermented and preserved in rice bran.

Flavor profiles:
- The rice balls have a savory and slightly sweet flavor from the soy sauce and mirin, with a nutty crunch from the toasted sesame seeds.

Serving suggestions:
- Serve as an appetizer or snack.

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Region: Japanese

Taste: Tangy, Savory, Salty, Crunchy